“We have got to continue to improve each week.” Derby v Trent Valley Match Preview

By Paddy Finnemore

After the huge victory against Loughborough last week, Derby Futsal are in contention for promotion from the second tier in the National Futsal Series.

This weekend The Rams face Trent Valley for the first time this season after the original game was postponed due to Covid cases for Trent.

The 3-1 victory against Loughborough was huge for Derby as they are now only a single point behind York with a game in hand at the top of the table. Opponents Trent Valley are new to the league and are yet to win this season and have just come off a tough defeat to Leicester, meaning they are bottom of the league.

It will be no easy game for The Rams as Trent Valley are a young and hungry side with a lot of talent. It will not be a simple game as the league difference suggests it would be.

One of Derby’s key men, Matt Richardson has had a good start to the season, scoring four goals in six games this season. He knows how important it is to add to the impressive performance against Loughborough, “we have got to keep our standards high, game by game we have got to do the right things, continue to play our game and most importantly, win”.

The Scottish international understands the challenge that Trent faces him and his side, “we can expect a young and lively side that are trying to establish themselves as a team, they are not going to roll over and give us the points that is for sure.”

Richardson knows what Derby have to do to continue this good run, “we have got to continue to improve each week. We need to be clinical in front of goal and continue to be solid defensively which has helped us have the best defensive record in the Tier two league.”

This game is massive for both sides, with Derby looking to go back to the top of the league and Trent Valley looking to get their first victory of the season, expect to see a highly competitive game with plenty on the line. With Kick-off at 1:30 pm this Sunday at the Radcliffe College, it will be 40 minutes of high-quality Futsal with the winner setting the standard for the rest of their season.